Gui application development support device, gui display device, and method, and computer program

ABSTRACT

An application development supporting apparatus and method that make it possible to easily set and execute various animation representations according to a state of a GUI component are provided. A GUI component is generated based on a logical part and a graphics representation part, and the graphics representation part is made to have an animation execution function based on image files according to the state of the component. By reading and displaying pre-set image data from an image file in accordance with methods that is carried out by a class of a graphics representation component, it becomes possible to carry out various animations with an image that is set according to the state of the component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus, a GUI display apparatus, method and computerprogram. More specifically, the present invention relates to a GUIapplication development supporting apparatus, a GUI display apparatus,method and computer program that make it possible that each component,such as button, list, combo box and the like, that is set in graphicaluser interface (GUI) is configured as a component executing visuallyeffective animation representation.

BACKGROUND ART

Displays such as CRT and LCD are used as, data display interfaces ordata user input/output interfaces for PCs, communications terminals andvarious information appliances. For such displays, a screen image, forwhich functions that suit the usage of an information appliance are set,is displayed, for example, as a graphical user interface (GUI). Variousfunctions, such as the arrangement of input buttons, settings for datainput fields, processes to be carried out when the buttons are pressed,for example, are set for the GUI. As a programming language fordeveloping application programs for setting the design and functions ofsuch user interface screens, Java, which is distributed by SunMicrosystems, Inc., is used widely.

A program written in Java is converted into byte code as acomputer/platform-independent Java executable file format, read by aJava virtual machine (Java VM) and converted (interpreted) into machinelanguage and run on various apparatuses.

In Java, in order to create application software easily in a shortperiod of time, software components that do not require re-compiling areprepared in advance, and programs are created by combining thosecomponents. In Java, a technology for making these components reusable(Java Beans) is constructed.

Components are set in units of various components such as, for example,windows to be displayed on a display, buttons, lists, combo boxes, textinput fields and the like. For these components, there are defined“property ” as attribute information such as, for example, shapes ofbuttons, position information and the like, “method ” as a process asthe result of an action for a component, and further “event ” as afunction for, when an action with respect to a component, such as thearrival of data, the occurrence of an interruption, the alteration ofproperties, the calling of a method or the like, occurs, communicatingthe event to another component. These “properties,” “methods” and“events” are taken to be elements of components in Java Beans.

The smallest executable program unit in Java is referred to as “class”and a Java Program is constituted by one or more classes. A class has avariable as data and a method as an action. It is possible to forwardand store this program component that is set as a class to a PC or aninformation appliance through a network such as the Internet or a LAN,and on the side of the apparatus in which the class file is stored, aplatform-independent Java virtual machine is able to run the programsaved in the class file.

As described above, the various components that constitute a GUI, suchas buttons, lists, combo boxes, text input fields and the like, are setas components that have attribute information, as property, such astheir shapes, position information and the like, and further, for whichfunctional information such as methods, events and the like are defined.

In other words, the logical part that defines functions like, forexample, the process to be carried out when turned on, the process to becarried,out when turned off or the like, of a component (GUI component),such as a button or the like, that is set on a graphical user interface,and the display image of the component, that is, the graphicsrepresentation part, are integrated. In the programming process fordesigning a GUI, various applications are designed by selecting andsetting components in which the logical part and the graphicsrepresentation part are integrated.

Thus, for example, in case of setting animations as a displaying processat the time of the button as a component being on or off, the animationsare basically set as fixed ones, and they are difficult to change.

However, the optimum graphics images differ by device on which the GUIis installed, animations that someone wants to set sometimes differ bydevice. For example, animation-laden settings are adopted in devicesthat children manipulate, simple animation settings are adopted inbusiness-oriented devices and the like. Further, the optimum graphicsimages differ by performance such as memory, CPU and the like of deviceitself.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in view of the problems described theabove, and an object thereof is to provide a GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus, a GUI display apparatus, method and computerprogram that make it possible to freely set various animation on eachcomponent that is set in a graphical user interface and make it possibleto set different animation as different graphics representationdepending on devices.

The first aspect of the present invention is a GUI applicationdevelopment supporting apparatus for supporting the development of a GUIapplication that has setting information for functions and display modesof components constituting a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUIapplication development supporting apparatus characterized by including:

-   -   a graphics representation component storage section that stores        graphics representation components in which programs related to        graphics representation of the components are stored;    -   an image storage section that stores animation image data that        is readable in accordance with a method defined for the graphics        representation components; and    -   an edit processing section that executes processes of        associating image data that is read in accordance with the state        of the components.

Further, an embodiment of a GUI application development supportingapparatus of the present invention is characterized in that

-   -   the edit processing section has a configuration that enables        setting of different read image data in association with each        state of a plurality of different components.

Further, an embodiment of a GUI application development supportingapparatus of the present invention is characterized in that

-   -   the graphics representation component storage section includes a        plurality of graphics representation component storage sections        in which a plurality of distinct graphics representation        processing execution programs is stored, and in that graphics        representation components stored in each graphics representation        component storage section may have configurations in which they        are individually associated with the read image files.

Further, an embodiment of a GUI application development supportingapparatus of the present invention is characterized by further including

-   -   a logical component storage section storing a logic component        storing a program related to function of component,    -   characterized in that the edit processing section is of a        configuration in which a GUI component is generated by combining        a logical component extracted from the logical component storage        section and a graphics representation component extracted from        the graphics representation component storage section.

Further, the second aspect of the present invention is a GUI applicationprogram generating method that generates a GUI application havingsetting information for functions and display modes of componentsconstituting a graphical user interface (GUI),

-   -   the GUI application program generating method characterized by        including:    -   a graphics representation component selection step of        selectively extracting a graphics representation component from        a graphics representation component storage section that stores        graphics representation components in which programs related to        graphics representation of the components are stored; and    -   an edit processing step of executing a process of associating        image data to be read according to a state of the component        corresponding to the graphics representation component selected        at the graphics representation component selection step.

Further, an embodiment of a GUI application program generating method ofthe present invention is characterized in that

-   -   the edit processing step includes a step of setting individually        animation image data to be read according to a method defined        for the graphics representation component in association with        each state of a plurality of distinct components.

Further, an embodiment of a GUI application program generating method ofthe present invention is characterized by further including

-   -   the GUI application program generating method further includes a        step of reading a logical component from a logical component        storage section that stores logical components in which programs        related to functions of components,    -   characterized in that the edit processing step includes a step        of generating a GUI component by combining a logical component        extracted from the logical component storage section and a        graphics representation component extracted from the graphics        representation component storage section.

Further, the third aspect of the present invention is a GUI displayapparatus that executes animation representation of a GUI component on adisplay,

-   -   the GUI display apparatus characterized by including    -   control means for executing display control of a GUI component        to be displayed on a display,    -   characterized in that the control means is of a configuration        that enables to read a graphics representation class of a        graphics representation component in association with a        component and executes it, and read image data that is set in        advance corresponding to the component from an image file stored        in a storage section in accordance with animation index methods        that are called in the class executing process and executes a        process of outputting the read image data on a display.

Further, an embodiment of a GUI display apparatus of the presentinvention is characterized in that

-   -   the control means is of a configuration that enable to identify        a state of the component, read image data according to the state        of the component from the storage section, and execute a process        of displaying the image data on a display.

Further, the fourth aspect of the present invention is an animationdisplay processing method for a GUI component to be displayed on adisplay,

-   -   the animation display processing method characterized by        including:    -   a class execution step of executing a graphics representation        class of a graphics representation component that is associated        with a component;    -   an image reading step of reading pre-set image data from an        image file in accordance with animation index methods called at        the class execution step; and    -   a step of displaying on a display the image data read at the        image reading step.

Further, an embodiment of an animation display processing method of thepresent invention is characterized in that

-   -   an image read at the image reading step is an image data        according to a state of the component.

Further, the fifth aspect of the present invention is a computer programthat executes a process of generating a GUI application program havingsetting information for functions and display modes of componentsconstituting a graphical user interface (GUI),

-   -   the computer program characterized by including:    -   a graphics representation component selection step of        selectively extracting a graphics representation component from        a graphics representation component storage section that stores        graphics representation components in which programs related to        graphics representation of the components are stored; and    -   an edit processing step of executing a process of associating        image data to be read according to a state of the component        corresponding to the graphics representation component selected        at the graphics representation component selection step.

Further, the sixth aspect of the present invention is a computer programthat executes animation displaying process for a GUI component to bedisplayed on a display,

-   -   the computer program characterized by including:    -   a class execution step of executing a graphics representation        class of a graphics representation component that is associated        with a component;    -   an image reading step of reading pre-set image data from an        image file in accordance with an animation index method called        at the class execution step; and    -   a step of displaying on a display the image data read at the        image reading step.

According to a configuration of the present invention, it becomespossible to freely set an animation of each component that is set in aGUI, and settings of optimal component animation that corresponds toGUI-equipped devices are easily carried out. That is, since the presentinvention is provided with a configuration that allows to read anddisplay pre-set image data from an image file in accordance withanimation index methods that are carried out by a graphicsrepresentation class of a graphics representation component that isincluded in a component, it becomes possible to carry out an animationwith an image that is set according to the state of the component and itbecomes possible to carry out animation representation with visualeffectiveness according to the state of the GUI component.

Further, according to a configuration of the present invention, sincethe configuration is adopted in which the logical part and the graphicsrepresentation part of a component are configured separately, a GUIcomponent is generated based on the logical part and the graphicsrepresentation part, and the graphics representation part is made tohave an animation execution function based on image files according tothe state of the component, it becomes possible to change with ease thesetting mode of animation through a process that is independent of thelogical part.

In addition, a computer program of the present invention is a computerprogram that can be provided to, for example, a general-purpose computersystem, which is capable of running various program codes, throughstorage media and communications media that provide them in a computerreadable format, examples of which include recording media such as CDs,FDs, MDs and the like, or communications media such as networks. Byproviding such a program in a computer readable format, a processaccording to the program is realized on a computer system.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention shouldbecome apparent from a more detailed description based on embodiments ofthe present invention that are described below and from the appendeddrawings. A system as used in the present description refers to alogical aggregate configuration of a plurality of apparatuses, and isnot limited to one in which each constituent apparatus resides in thesame body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a GUIapplication development supporting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a GUIapplication development supporting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing sequence of aGUI application development supporting apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the processing sequence of aGUI application development supporting apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a file configurationnecessary for executing processes of a GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI componentgenerated with a GUI application development supporting apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a GUI componentgenerated with a GUI application development supporting apparatus of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 a diagram illustrating an example of a process, which is executedwith a GUI application development supporting apparatus of the presentinvention, of setting animation corresponding to the state of eachcomponent;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration for settingan animation process of a component with a GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a process example of a process ofexecuting animation corresponding to the state of a component generatedwith a GUI application development supporting apparatus of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of aGUI display.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Below, a GUI application development supporting apparatus, a GUI displayapparatus, method and computer program of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings.

[1. Hardware Configuration]

First, a hardware configuration example of a GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus of the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 1. Each element within a GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. ACPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, which is the main controller of theGUI application development supporting apparatus 100, executes variouskinds of GUI application development programs under the control of anoperating system (OS). The CPU 101 performs, for example, the executionof a program creating process based on the Java language, specificallyprocesses of setting functions, setting the display image and the likeof each component, such as buttons, combo boxes and the like, that isset on a GUI screen. As shown in drawing, the CPU 101 is interconnectedwith other constituent parts through a bus 107.

A memory 102 is a storage device that is used to store program codes tobe run by the CPU 101 or to temporarily store working data underexecution. The memory 102 shown in the same diagram includes both anon-volatile memory such as ROM as well as a volatile memory such asDRAM.

A graphics processing chip 150 is a chip into which is incorporated adedicated processing circuit that executes color processing for variousGUI components.

A display controller 103 as a display control section is a dedicatedcontroller for actually processing draw commands issued by the CPU 101.The draw data processed by the display controller 103 is screenoutputted by a display 108 after, for example, being once written in aframe buffer (not shown) For example, an image reproduced from a HDD(111) or an image processed by the CPU 101 may be displayed on thedisplay 108, and a user may view the presented screen.

An input device interface 104 is an apparatus for connecting user inputdevices, such as a keyboard 109, a mouse 110 and the like, to the GUIapplication development supporting apparatus 100. The user is able toinput commands for processing or displaying images and the like throughthe keyboard 109 and the mouse 110.

In compliance with a predetermined communications protocol such asEthernet, a network interface 105 is capable of connecting the GUIapplication development supporting apparatus 100 to a local network suchas a LAN (Local Area Network), and further to a wide area network suchas the Internet.

A plurality of host terminals and servers (not shown) are connected on anetwork in a transparent state and a distributed computing environmentis constructed. Distribution services of software programs and datacontents can be provided on the network. For example, image data fromanother server in which moving images, still images and the like arestored can be downloaded to the HDD (111) via the network.

An external device interface 106 is an apparatus for connecting externalapparatuses, such as a digital camera, the hard disk drive (HDD) 111, amedia drive 112 and the like, to the GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus 100.

The HDD 111 is an external storage apparatus in which a magnetic disk asa storage medium is fixedly mounted, and is advantageous in terms ofstorage capacity, data transfer rate and the like, and allows for randomaccess. For example, program installation where a software program isstored on the HDD 111 in an executable condition is possible. On the HDD111, program codes of the operating system, application programs anddevice drivers to be run by the CPU 101 are stored in a non-volatilemanner.

The media drive 112 is an apparatus into which portable media 160, suchas a CD (Compact Disc), an MO (Magneto-Optical disc), a DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc) and the like, can be loaded, and which is for accessingthe data recording surface thereof.

The portable media 160 are used primarily for purposes such as backingup software programs, data files and the like as data in a computerreadable format, and transferring them between systems (that is,including sales, circulation and distribution). It is possible tophysically circulate and distribute an application program forperforming various processes between a plurality of devices using theseportable media.

In addition, an apparatus such as the one shown in FIG. 1 can berealized as a compatible machine or a succeeding machine of IBMCorporation's personal computer “PC/AT (Personal Computer/AdvancedTechnology.” Naturally, it is also possible to apply a computer equippedwith a different architecture.

[2. Functional Configuration]

Next, the functional configuration of a GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus of the present invention that develops a GUIapplication by separately configuring the logical part and the graphicsrepresentation part of each component that is set in a graphical userinterface (GUI) will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, a GUI application development supporting apparatusof the present invention has a component storage section 200 in whichvarious parts (components) to be set on a screen that is to serve as auser interface, such as buttons, combo boxes, lists, windows, text boxesand the like, are stored. The component storage section 200 includes alogical component storage section 201, a graphics representationcomponent storage section (Simple) 202 and a graphics representationcomponent storage section (Rich) 203.

The logical component storage section 201 is a component that storeslogical information regarding various parts (components) to be set on ascreen that is to serve as a user interface, such as buttons, comboboxes, lists, windows, text boxes and the like. For example, if it werea button, it is configured as a software program component that definesfunctions, such as the process for when it is turned on, the process forwhen it is turned off and the like, as functions of the button.

On the other hand, the graphics representation component storage section(Simple) 202 and the graphics representation component storage section(Rich) 203 are configured as software program components that storedisplay image information of components, that is, as software programcomponents that store a graphics representation program. The graphicsrepresentation component storage section (Simple) 202 and the graphicsrepresentation component storage section (Rich) 203 are components thateach store a program that executes a different graphics representation.

An image data storage section 205 stores image data such as, forexample, jpeg, gif and the like. By associating these image data withthe graphics representation component of- each component, animationdisplay based on image data according to various operations ofcomponents becomes possible. Such animation setting processes will bedescribed later.

An operator as a developer of GUI application programs executes variousdata input with respect to an edit processing section 210 via a datainput/output section 220, and constructs a GUI component by setting thefunction and graphical image of each component, such as a button, combobox or the like.

A creation process execution program for components is, for example, oneclass (factory class) of a JAVA program. The edit processing section 210creates various components by executing the factory class. In addition,processing by the edit processing section 210 is, in the case of thehardware configuration shown in FIG. 1, is processing executed under thecontrol of the CPU 101.

Components are edited at the edit processing section 210 as GUIcomponents for which “property” as attribute information such as, forexample, shapes of buttons, position information and the like, “method”as a process as the result of an action for a component, and further“event” as a function for, when an action with respect to a component,such as the arrival of data, the occurrence of an interruption, thealteration of properties, the calling of a method or the like, occurs,communicating the event to another component are defined.

The edit processing section 210 includes a property editing section 211that edits properties set for components, a method editing section 212that edits methods, and an event editing section 213 that edits events.

In setting the look, that is, the graphics representation, of a GUIcomponent to be generated, the operator inputs look & feel packagespecification data with respect to the edit processing section 210 thatexecutes the factory class. In other words, the operator specifieseither “Rich” or “Simple.”

In accordance with this specification data, the factory class isexecuted at the edit processing section 210, and depending on thespecification data, the corresponding program component is read fromeither the graphics representation component storage section (Simple)202 or the graphics representation component storage section (Rich) 203,while at the same time the component is generated along with a componentread from the logical component storage section 201.

For example, in generating a GUI component with respect to a button, abutton component is read from the logical component storage section 201that stores components in which logical information regarding componentsis stored, and further, depending on the look & feel packagespecification data from the operator, namely the specification data ofeither “Rich” or “Simple,” a component storing a graphics representationprogram of the button is read from the graphics representation componentstorage section (Simple) 202 or the graphics representation componentstorage section (Rich) 203, and a single button component is generatedby combining the logical component and either the “Rich” or “Simple”graphics representation component.

A similar editing process is executed for various components other thanbuttons, such as combo boxes, lists, windows, text boxes and the like,and after the editing process, the set GUI application program is storedin a program storage section 221, executed at a program executionsection 222, and the generated GUI is displayed on a display section223.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, an example was describedwhere only the two types of “Simple” and “Rich” were set for componentsthat store a graphics representation program, but the number of typesmay also be set to an arbitrary number of 3 and above, and the operatormay input some specification data of the graphics representationcomponents that are set, whereby a graphics representation component isselected in accordance with the specification data, and various GUIcomponents created.

[3. Processing Sequence]

Next, the procedures in a process for generating a GUI component byapplying a GUI application development supporting apparatus of thepresent invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that shows a processing sequence in which the“Simple” graphics representation component is selected and a GUIcomponent generated. In FIG. 3, there is shown, from the left, each ofthe processes of the operator, GUI generating application, componentfactory, graphics representation part and logical part. The processes ofthe graphics representation part and the logical part correspond to theexecution of the programs stored in the components read from thegraphics representation component storage section (Simple) 202 and thelogical component storage section 201 shown in FIG. 2, and theseprocesses as well as the process of the component factory are executedat the edit processing section 210 in FIG. 2.

First, in step S101, the operator inputs a create command (Create) for aGUI component to the GUI generating application. This create command(Create) for the GUI component is inputted along with data thatspecifies the kind of the component, such as, for example, “button,”“list,” “combo box,” “radio button,” “window” and the like.

Further, in step S102, a “look & feel” specification for specifying thegraphics representation is outputted from the operator to the componentfactory via the application. Here, it is assumed that “Simple” isspecified as the “look & feel” specification.

Next, in step S103, a component create command is outputted to thecomponent factory from the application. Identification data thatindicates the component kind specified in the previous step S101 isincluded in this command.

In step S104, the component create command (Create) is outputted fromthe component factory with respect to the graphics representation part(Simple) and the logical part, and the creation of a component isexecuted in accordance with the stored programs of the logical part andthe graphics representation part.

The processes subsequent to step S105 show a processing sequence in acase where a component is processed by the application, for example asin when an open process command for a “window” as a component isperformed. An open process command for a component from the applicationis handed to the logical part, and based on the execution of the programof the logical part, a paint command is handed to the graphicsrepresentation part (Simple). The graphics representation part (Simple)executes paint processing for the component based on the inputtedcommand from the logical part.

Here, since the graphics representation part adopted for componentgeneration is “Simple,” the generated component to be displayed on thedisplay, namely buttons and the like, take on a simple configuration-inwhich color settings by paint are done.

Next, a processing sequence in which the “Rich” graphics representationcomponent is selected and a GUI component generated will be describedwith reference to FIG. 4. As in FIG. 3, from the left, there are showneach of the processes by the operator, GUI generating application,component factory, graphics representation part and logical part. As inFIG. 3, the processes of the graphics representation part and thelogical part correspond to the execution of the programs stored in thecomponents read from the graphics representation component storagesection (Simple) 202 and the logical component storage section 201 shownin FIG. 2, and these processes as well as the process of the componentfactory are executed at the edit processing section 210 in FIG. 2.

First, in step S201, the operator inputs a create command (Create) for aGUI component to the GUI generating application. This create command(Create) for the GUI component is inputted along with data thatspecifies the kind of the component, such as, for example, “button,”“list,” “combo box,” “radio button,”“window” and the like.

Further, in step S202, a “look & feel” specification for specifying thegraphics representation is outputted from the operator to the componentfactory via the application. Here, it is assumed that “Rich” isspecified as the “look & feel” specification.

Next, in step S203, a component create command is outputted to thecomponent factory from the application. Identification data thatindicates the component kind specified in the previous step S201 isincluded in this command.

In step S204, the component create command (Create) is outputted fromthe component factory with respect to the graphics representation part(Simple) and the logical part, and the creation of a component isexecuted in accordance with the stored programs of the logical part andthe graphics representation part (Rich).

The processes subsequent to step S205 show a processing sequence in acase where a component is processed by the application, for example asin when an open process command for a “window” as a component isperformed. An open process command for a component from the applicationis handed to the graphics representation part, and animation is executed(S206) based on the execution of an animation program stored in thegraphics representation part.

Further, in step S207, the open process command is handed to the logicalpart, and based on the execution of the program of the logical part, apaint command is handed to the graphics representation part (Simple),and the graphics representation part (Rich) executes paint processingfor the component in accordance with the inputted command from thelogical part.

In the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 4, since the graphicsrepresentation part adopted for component generation is “Rich,” thegenerated component to be displayed on the display, namely buttons andthe like, take on a configuration in which not only color settings bypaint are done, but also animation representation is executed.

[4. File Configuration Example]

A file configuration example for executing such component display asmentioned above will be described.

For example, as files in a case where a “buttcon” component, as an iconhaving the functionality of a button as an example of a GUI component,is configured as a GUI component, each of the following files, forexample, becomes necessary.

-   -   Cbuttcon.java: a class for implementing the logical part of the        buttcon,    -   Buttcon.java: a class for implementing the look & feel part as        the graphics representation part of the buttcon,    -   buttcon_normal_off.gif: the image when the buttcon is “off,”    -   buttcon_normal_on.gif: the image when the buttcon is “on,”    -   buttcon_pushed.gif: the image when the buttcon is being pushed,    -   CComponentFactory.java: a factory class, which the application        uses to create the buttcon;    -   Application.java: an application for displaying the created        buttcon.

A class refers to an executable unit of program in Java.

The directory configuration of each of the files above is shown in FIG.5. A [customtoolkit] file as a tool kit exists below some GUIapplication file [application], and in this file are includedCButtcon.java: a class for implementing the logical part of the buttcon,CComponentFactory.java: a factory class that the application uses tocreate the buttcon and further a look & feeel file [laf] as graphicsrepresentation information.

Buttcon.java: a class for implementing the look & feel part as thegraphics representation part of the buttcon, that is, a classcorresponding to the graphics representation component described above,is included in the look & feeel file [laf]. Further, as image data files[image], each of buttcon_normal_off.gif: the image for when the buttconis “off,” buttcon_normal_on.gif: the image for when the buttcon is “on,”and buttcon_pushed.gif: the image for when the buttcon is being pushedis included.

The GUI application program, in accordance with the user's inputinformation, executes a process in which the processing programs andimage data included in each of these files are applied. Specifically,both various function executing processes that follow the program of thelogical part class as well as various graphics representation processesthat follow the program of the graphics representation part class areexecuted.

[5. Display Example]

Next, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a display processing examplefor GUI components generated based on a configuration in which thelogical part and the graphics representation part of each component areseparated will be described.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which each component is generated anddisplayed while applying the graphics representation part (Simple). Adescription will be given taking a button 311 and a combo box 312 asexamples of GUI components.

When the button 311 is manipulated, for example when the button isturned on, turned off, or when focus settings, in other words cursorsettings, are carried out, processes based on on and off operations ofthe button are executed by processes of the logical part of the buttoncomponent. Further, through, for example, a paint command from thelogical part, the graphics representation part (Simple) is executed, andpaint processing, that is, a process of changing the displayed color ofthe button, is carried out.

When the combo box 312 is manipulated, for example when the combo box312 is opened, closed, etc., processes based on opening and closingoperations of the combo box are executed by processes of the logicalpart of the combo box component. Further, through, for example, a paintcommand from the logical part, the graphics representation part (Simple)of the combo box component is executed, and paint processing, that is, aprocess such as changing the displayed color of the combo box, iscarried out.

In addition, what kind of graphics representation is to be executedthrough a process from the operator may be set differently for each GUIcomponent. In other words, by altering the processing program of thegraphics representation part (Simple), graphics representationprocessing that suits each component becomes possible.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which each component is generated anddisplayed while applying the graphics representation part (Rich). Adescription will be given taking a button 320 and a combo box 330 asexamples of GUI components.

When the button 320 is manipulated, for example when the button isturned on, turned off, or when focus settings, in other words cursorsettings, are carried out, animation 321 and 322 are executed asprocesses of the graphics representation part (Rich) of the buttoncomponent in addition to the paint processing described above. Though itis hard to see from the diagram, in (b) and (c), an animation where aripple propagates around the button is executed. In addition, throughprocesses of the logical part, processes based on on and off operationsof the button are executed.

When the combo box 330 is manipulated, for example when the combo box330 is opened, closed, etc., processes based on opening and closingoperations of the combo box are executed by processes of the logicalpart of the combo box component, while at the same time animations 331and 332 are executed as processes of the graphics representation part(Rich) of the combo box component. Though it is hard to see from thediagram, in (b) and (c), an animation that is set so that it extendsdownward from the lower portion of the combo box is executed.

[6. Animation Setting and Executing Process]

Next, a process of setting and executing animation for GUI components,such as windows, buttons, combo boxes, lists and the like, will bedescribed.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a processing screen for setting image datafor executing animation with respect to a component. A configuration isadopted where component [Button] is set in a component specifying field351, an image data setting field 352 is configured there below, and theimage to be called (jpeg) at each component state, that is under anormal state, or under on, off and focus settings and the like, can beset individually. Focus setting refers to a state where a cursor is seton that component, and the component is in a state where it is capableof operations such as on and off.

For example, when an on process is to be carried out, an animation indexmethod is called and executed in accordance with a program defined forthe graphics representation component. Through the execution of theanimation index method, Jpeg images 11 through 21 are read from imagefile [Image], and the image of a button displayed on the GUI based onthese plurality of images is displayed in animation. When an off processis to be carried out, Jpeg images 31 through 38 are read from image file[Image], and the image of a button displayed on the GUI based on theseplurality of images is displayed in animation

In the example shown in FIG. 8, there is shown an example having thefour states of Normal, On, Off and Focus as component states. However,state definitions are not limited to these, and may be defined asfollows, for example, and such a configuration may be adopted whereimage data is set according to each state.

-   -   NORMAL: a normal state    -   NORMAL DEACTIVATED: a normal state that is not active    -   FOCUSED: a focused state    -   FOCUSED DEACTIVATED: a normal state that is not active    -   PUSHED: a pushed state    -   PUSHED DEACTIVATED: a pushed state that is not active    -   DISABLED: an inoperable state    -   DISABLE DEACTIVATED: an inoperable state that is not active

By setting different image data that constitute animation in associationwith each of the eight states above, it becomes possible for a user tounderstand the state of a component according to the animation. Inaddition, a state that is not active refers to cases such as a statewhere it is displayed in a window that is not subject to operation.

Thus, for each component, individual image files can be set so as tocorrespond to processes, and it becomes possible to freely set optimalanimation representation that corresponds to various processes. In thedrawing, there is shown an example where an animation for a button isbeing set, but, similarly, setting animations that correspond to variousprocesses is possible for other components, too.

For example, various animations are set by having images eachindividually selected and set from image files for an animation at open,an animation at close and the like for a combo box.

A GUI application development supporting apparatus for executing theanimation display setting process described above by setting image datacorresponding to the state of each component is realized through theconfiguration previously described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.However, a processing configuration limited to the function for carryingout the process of setting image files according to each component statewill be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 9, the GUI application development supporting apparatushas a component storage section 400 that stores various components, suchas buttons, combo boxes, lists, windows, text boxes and the like, to beset on a screen as a user interface. The component storage section 400has a logical component storage section 401 as a software programcomponent that defines the processing functions of components, and agraphics representation component storage section 402 as a softwareprogram component that defines the graphics representation ofcomponents. In addition, graphics representation components may be, asdescribed above, configured as a plurality of different components thatexecute a plurality of kinds of graphics representations such as Simple,Rich, and the like.

An image data storage section 403 stores image data that are read inaccordance with animation index methods that are called by executing agraphics representation class as a program stored in the graphicsrepresentation components stored in the graphics representationcomponent storage section 402. Image data are data files of, forexample, jpeg, gif and the like, and correspond to each of the graphicsrepresentation components stored in the graphics representationcomponent storage section 402.

An operator as a developer of GUI application programs executes variousdata input with respect to an edit processing section 410 via a datainput/output section 420, and constructs a GUI component by setting thefunction and graphical image of each component, such as a button, combobox or the like.

A creation process execution program for components is, for example, oneclass (factory class) of a JAVA program. The edit processing section 410creates various components by executing the factory class. In addition,processing by the edit processing section 410 is, in the case of thehardware configuration shown in FIG. 1, is processing executed under thecontrol of the CPU 101.

In the process of setting animation, as was described with reference toFIG. 8, a process of associating image data to be read according to thestate of a component is executed in the edit processing section 410.This process is executed as part of an editing process for the“property,” “method,” and “event” of a component.

In setting the look, that is, the graphics representation, of a GUIcomponent to be generated, the operator inputs look & feel packagespecification data with respect to the edit processing section 410 thatexecutes the factory class. In other words, the operator specifieseither “Rich” or “Simple,” and further, as described with reference toFIG. 8, sets image data to be read according to the state of acomponent.

In accordance with such setting information, a GUI application programhaving various components is generated, the generated GUI applicationprogram is stored in a program storage section 421, is execute dataprogram execution section 422, and the generated GUI is displayed on adisplay section 423.

Next, the process at the time of animation execution, that is theprocess at a GUI display apparatus, will be described with reference toFIG. 10. A display process for animation 514 of a button as a GUIcomponent shown on a display 513 will be described.

The animation display process is executed by a graphics representationclass 511 of a graphics representation component included in thecomponent of a button. In accordance with a program defined for thegraphics representation class 511, an animation index method is called,the Jpeg images 11 through 21 set in the setting process describedpreviously with reference to FIG. 8 are read from an image file [Image]512, and the image of a button that is GUI displayed based on theseplural images is displayed as the animation 514.

Here, an example is shown where an animation in which a ripplepropagates around the button is displayed. The image file [Image] 512can be stored by securing a partial region of the memory 102, the HDD111 or some other storage means of the hardware configuration of FIG. 1and setting it as an image file storage section.

In summarizing the processes described above as an animation displayprocessing method sequence for a GUI component to be displayed on adisplay, it can be summarized as an execution step comprising:

-   -   (1) a class execution step of executing a graphics        representation class of a graphics representation component that        is associated with the component;    -   (2) an image reading step of reading pre-set image data from an        image file in accordance with an animation index method called        in the class execution step; and    -   (3) a step of displaying on a display the image data read in the        image reading step.

These processing steps are recorded as a program for executing a GUIapplication, and are executed in accordance with GUI operations by auser, in other words, animation display is carried out.

In addition, for the animation of components like buttons, variousanimations can be set easily by altering the called image data. Forexample, various animations may be set, such as generating concave- orconvex-shaped distortions in a button, or changing the color as on andoff operations of the button. In addition, it is also possible to adopta configuration in which animation is continuously executed when in afocused state where a cursor is set thereon, and not just at the time ofon and off operations. This is realized by calling an animation indexmethod, and reading and executing a focus image file from image datawith the overlapping of the cursor position over the button componentposition as a condition therefor.

In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 2, a plurality ofgraphics representation components storing different graphicsrepresentation process execution programs are prepared in the graphicsrepresentation component storage section even for the same component, abutton for example, as in Simple, Rich or the like. In the example inFIG. 2, only the two kinds of Simple and Rich are shown, but, further,the setting of a plurality of graphics representation components, suchas Rich 1, Rich 2, . . . and the like, is possible.

For each of these graphics representation components, it is possible toassociate individual read image files that are each different. Even fora button that has the same function, the graphics representationcomponent to be applied is determined by the initial look & feel packagespecification, and animation that is set in correspondence with thatcomponent is displayed. Thus, it becomes possible to carry out variousdifferent animation displays in accordance with the look & feel packagespecification.

As described above, in the configuration of the present invention, itbecomes possible to freely set animation of each component that is setin a GUI, and settings of optimal component animation that correspondsto GUI-equipped device are easily carried out.

The present invention is provided with the configuration that allows toread and display pre-set image data from an image file in accordancewith an animation index method that is carried out by a graphicsrepresentation class of a graphics representation component that isincluded in the component, and to set the read image in variouscombinations according to the state (on, off, focused and the like) ofthe component, it becomes possible to make users recognize that thevisual effect of the state of the GUI component is more improved.

In the present invention, since a configuration is adopted in which thelogical part and the graphics representation part of a component areconfigured separately, a GUI component is generated based on the logicalpart and the graphics representation part, and the graphicsrepresentation part is made to have an animation execution functionbased on image files according to the state of the component, it becomespossible to change with ease the setting mode of animation through aprocess that is independent of the logical part.

[7. GUI Display Apparatus Configuration Example]

Next, a configuration example of an apparatus, such as an informationappliance, having a graphical user interface (GUI) that executes variousdisplay processes that are in line with the description above will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 18.

As GUI-equipped devices, various household devices and communicationsdevices come to mind. The apparatus configuration example shown in FIG.18 shows one such example, and shows a GUI display apparatusconfiguration example that has a configuration in which a moving imagecan be played by receiving it via a network or by reading it from astorage medium.

A GUI display apparatus 800 shown in FIG. 18 includes a communicationsinterface 801 for receiving Internet-distributed data, broadcast data orthe like, and receives HTML documents, movie contents and the like fromdata distribution sites. In addition, a storage medium interface 802 isa data transfer interface for such various storage media 820 as DVDs,flash memories and the like, and is an interface for inputting andoutputting such various contents as moving image data and the likebetween the storage media 820 and the data processing apparatus 800.

When contents sent from an image distribution site or contents stored onthe recording media 820 are encoded, they are displayed on a displayapparatus 810 under the control of a display control section 808 after adecoding process is executed at a decode/encode processing section 803.

On the other hand, input data and various commands by users are inputtedfrom a controller 811, received by a reception section 807, and outputted to a control section (CPU) 804. The control section 804 executesvarious processes in accordance with the previously described logicalcomponent that corresponds to each component, for example, executes ananimation display process, by obtaining an image data according to thestate of the component and by outputting the obtained image data.

The storage section in the GUI display apparatus 800 is a storagesection that is used for the storage of received data, for the storageof various processing programs, for the storage of preset display imageprograms, as a storage area as a work area of the CPU 804 or the like,and is comprised of RAM, ROM and the like. A timer 806 is used formeasuring the running time of the various programs in GUI processing.

The present invention has been described above in detail with referenceto specific embodiments. However, it should be obvious that it ispossible for those skilled in the art to make modifications andsubstitutions to these embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe present invention. In other words, the present invention has beendisclosed in the form of examples, which are not to be consideredrestrictive. In determining the scope of the present invention, theclaims described at the beginning should be taken into consideration.

In addition, the series of processes described in this specification canbe executed through hardware, software, or a composite configuration ofboth. In executing the processes through software, a program in whichthe processing sequence is recorded may be installed to a memory withina computer that is incorporated into dedicated hardware and executed, orthe program may be installed to a general-purpose computer that iscapable of executing various processes and executed.

For example, the program may be recorded in advance on a hard disk orROM (Read Only Memory) as recording media. Alternatively, the programmay be temporarily or permanently stored (recorded) on removablerecording media, such as flexible disks, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read OnlyMemory), MO (Magneto Optical) disks, DVDs (Digital Versatile Disc),magnetic disks, semiconductor memories and the like. Such removablerecording media maybe provided as so-called packaged software.

In addition, besides being installed to a computer from such removablerecording media described above, the program may be transferredwirelessly to a computer from a download site, or may be transferred bywire to a computer via such networks as a LAN (Local Area Network) andthe Internet, and the computer may receive the program thus transferred,and install it to a recording medium such as a built-in hard disk or thelike.

In addition, the various processes described in the specification maynot only be executed chronologically as described, but also may beexecuted in a parallel manner or individually depending on theprocessing capability of the apparatus that executes the processes or asrequired. In addition, system as used in the present specificationrefers to a logical aggregate configuration of a plurality ofapparatuses, and is not limited to one in which each constituentapparatus resides in the same body.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the present invention, it becomespossible to freely set an animation of each component that is set in aGUI, and settings of optimal component animation that corresponds toGUI-equipped devices are easily carried out. That is, since the presentinvention is provided with a configuration that allows to read anddisplay pre-set image data from an image file in accordance withanimation index methods that is carried out by a graphics representationclass of a graphics representation component that is included in acomponent, it becomes possible to carry out an animation with an imagethat is set according to the state of the component and it becomespossible to carry out animation representation with visual effectivenessaccording to the state of the GUI component.

Further, according to the present invention, since a configuration isadopted in which the logical part and the graphics representation partof a component are configured separately, a GUI component is generatedbased on the logical part and the graphics representation part, and thegraphics representation part is made to have an animation executionfunction based on image files according to the state of the component,it becomes possible to change with ease the setting mode of animationthrough a process that is independent of the logical part.

1-13. (canceled).
 14. A GUI application development supporting apparatusfor supporting the development of a GUI application that has settingsinformation for functions and display modes of components constituting agraphical user interface (GUI), the GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus characterized by comprising: a graphicsrepresentation component storage section that stores graphicsrepresentation components in which programs related to graphicsrepresentation of the components are stored; an image storage sectionthat stores animation image data that is readable in accordance with amethod defined for the graphics representation components; and an editprocessing section that executes a processes of associating image datathat is read in accordance with the state of the components;characterized in that: the graphics representation component storagesection includes a plurality of graphics representation components inwhich a plurality of different graphics representation processingexecution programs is stored; the graphics representation componentstored in each graphics representation component storage section has aconfiguration in which the graphics representation component storagesections are individually associated with each read image file; and theedit processing section has a configuration that is capable of settingdifferent read image data in association with respective states of aplurality of different components.
 15. The GUI application developmentsupporting apparatus according to claim 14 characterized by furthercomprising a logical component storage section storing a logic componentstoring a program related to functions of component, characterized inthat the edit processing section is of a configuration in which a GUIcomponent is generated by combining a logical component extracted fromthe logical component storage section and a graphics representationcomponent extracted from the graphics representation component storagesection.
 16. A GUI application program generating method that generatesa GUI application having settings information for functions and displaymodes of components constituting a graphical user interface (GUI), theGUI application program generating method characterized by comprising: agraphics representation component selection step of selectivelyextracting a graphics representation component from a graphicsrepresentation component storage section that stores graphicsrepresentation components that store programs related to graphicsrepresentation of the components and are associated to each individualread image file; and an edit processing step of executing a process ofassociating different image data to be read according to a state of thecomponent corresponding to the graphics representation componentselected at the graphics representation component selection step, and ofindividually setting animation image data to be read according tomethods defined for the graphics representation component in associationwith respective states of a plurality of distinct components.
 17. TheGUI application program generating method according to claim 16characterized by further comprising a step of reading a logicalcomponent from a logical component storage section that stores logicalcomponents in which programs related to functions of components,characterized in that the edit processing step of generating a GUIcomponent by combining a logical component extracted from the logicalcomponent storage section and a graphics representation componentextracted from the graphics representation component storage section.18. A computer program that executes a process of generating a GUIapplication program that has settings information for functions anddisplay modes of components constituting a graphical user interface(GUI), the computer program characterized by comprising: a graphicsrepresentation component selection step of selectively extracting agraphics representation component from a graphics representationcomponent storage section that stores graphics representation componentsthat store programs related to graphics representation of the componentsand are associated to each individual read image file; and an editprocessing step of executing a process of associating different imagedata to be read according to a state of the component corresponding tothe graphics representation component selected at the graphicsrepresentation component selection step, and of setting individuallyanimation image data to be read according to methods defined for thegraphics representation component in association with each state of aplurality of distinct components.